The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-02-18
For the AsheyiIle CrTIzEE.
THE WORK OF WEDNESDAY;S
PEARSON MEETING


MesSrs. Editors ~ Having seen it men
toned in the CITIZEN that an anti-stocl
law meeting was to be held on Svednes
day, and that Buncombe's DISTINGUISHED
adopted SON, the great AFtfui Dodger
would be present to address bis constilu
ency, was impelled by two motives 4
brave the terrors of Buncombe county
road in February, and take long drive
in order to be present.
/ First, was really curious to see who
the Artful DIS constituents were, and
secondly, wished TO contribute lay mite
towards smoothing and soothing the
agitated feelings that prevailed in the
perturbed bosom of the Al D. For have
read in the papers that the Hon. AItfuI
ID. is not happy; that be is snubbed by
| the Democratic members, suspected By
the Republicans, and that his manly
bosom is writing in anguish with the
tstings and gibes Of his coiored c0nfreres.
Hence his pilgrimage from the legislative
halls to his mountain home IN 5:s---st Of
,IgI5t .'i si-,sssli =. re y e
Wei! I have seen lie constituents.
One would suppose from the fact that the
stock law YVES passed for the benefit OF
the fdrmers, that if any of that class
I objected to the law, they would be pres
ent. The closest scrutiny however, failed
To detect many of the element present,
Except among those-perhaps one=fourth
of the ssemblage-Who like myself
were stock law men, and came from mo-
tives of curiosity.
The meeting was presided over by a
gentleman, who, owning large tract oi
land in upper South Homipy in
connection with his brother-in-law-A 4
joint owner,-and who, by the way offer
ed q resolution in the naeeting-made 8
stock law of his own by foFbidding any
person, dog, goose or beast from trespass'
ing under penalty of the law, on his
territory. So of course, he is in favor oi
stock law, but being apoliiician and
ambitious of fsacufcing himself in behalf
of his suffering eeuntrymen, he is trying
to make political capital out of the Issue
But the Artful Dodger!a He too, hai
vast domsins which at q great expense
he has inclosed by fence both pig-tighi
and bull-high. So then his utterance o.
sentiments of the Henry George school
that land should be owned in common il
evidently pleasantly.
All you Artful Dodger You sEy sls
| rogue Low you are laughing In YOU
sleeve over the defeat of your little bill
And then, too, the Arttul Dodger is q
fond of his constituents, and so untirins
in their behalf and regularly sends then
kiS paper to keep them posted as to hi
sincere efforts to take away land owners
rights to their own property
The County Commissioners and Jus
tices came in for full share of abuse
Not that the Hon. Artful Dodger would
really like to see any change made, bu
he has aspirations, and his dear constitu
ency have Uotes, and
The Grand Jury also caught fits, bu
4 then there was good reason for that, fol
that BODY having failed to present hin
las in duty boun6 for breach of the law
lof the State,-ignoredh his desire for FAM
land gore; and dssszEss big Eell @sfItss
BY the way, the constituent who offer
ed the resolution was, believe, the fore
man of the Grand Jury.
Farewell A. d. Return to the legis
lative halls where erstWhile, wise anC
benefcent laws were enacted, and lister
only to the barring of the Congressiona
bee, but it will burr in vain in you
bonnet.
Farewell Artful Dodger! Vale!
OLIVER TWIST.